OTTAWA - Setting up tattoo parlours and needle-exchange programs in penitentiaries would help reduce the spread of hepatitis C, the federal prison service has told the Trudeau government. A Correctional Service memo obtained under the Access to Information Act advises Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to round out existing and planned measures to fight hepatitis and HIV in prison. Prison tattooing and needle-exchange programs for drug users have generated intense controversy over the years, and the March 2017 memo says detailed research should be carried out before embarking on a syringe needle program, in particular, "to avoid unintended and negative consequences for inmates." [continues 459 words]
Police and Courts OTTAWA - Alberta's premier says she's worried that marijuana legalization could drive up policing and court bills her province cannot afford to pay. The justice system is already overburdened and enforcing new pot-related measures could make things worse, Rachel Notley warned in an interview with The Canadian Press. Notley said she was surprised by the recent federal proposal to levy an excise tax on recreational marijuana once it becomes legal next July, with the provinces and territories receiving just half the revenue. [continues 359 words]
OTTAWA - Travellers to Canada will be routinely asked whether they are bringing marijuana into the country as Ottawa moves to legalize recreational pot use. Signs will also be posted at major ports of entry to remind people that the unauthorized importation of pot remains illegal, said Peter Hill, associate vice-president of the Canada Border Services Agency. In addition, the border agency plans a communications campaign through social media to ensure travellers "are aware of the new legislation and the requirements," Hill told MPs on the House of Commons public safety committee. [continues 384 words]
OTTAWA - The Trudeau government has earmarked just over $274 million to support policing and border efforts associated with the plan to legalize recreational marijuana use. The government said Friday it is committing $161 million of the money to train front-line officers in how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug-impaired driving, provide access to drug screening devices and educate the public. Some of these funds will help develop policy, bolster research and raise awareness about the dangers of drug-impaired driving. [continues 464 words]
Supreme Court affirms landmark ruling on court delays OTTAWA - All players in the justice system need to do their part to target the "root causes" of unnecessary trial delays, the Supreme Court of Canada said Friday in affirming its landmark ruling on timely proceedings. The high court ruled unanimously that a Newfoundland and Labrador man facing drug and weapon charges should not go to trial under new rules spelled out last July for determining unjustifiable court delays. The latest decision comes amid intense public and political debate over the time limits for trials, including a Senate committee report this week that expressed concern over accused criminals walking free. [continues 465 words]
OTTAWA - The federal plan to legalize recreational marijuana does not include the general amnesty for past pot convictions some would like to see, says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Newly tabled legislation would allow people 18 and older to publicly possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in non-dried form. But the Trudeau government is not considering a blanket pardon for people with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug, Goodale said in an interview. "That's not an item that's on the agenda at the moment." [continues 394 words]
OTTAWA - The federal plan to legalize recreational marijuana does not include the general amnesty for past pot convictions some would like to see, says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Newly tabled legislation would allow people 18 and older to publicly possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in non-dried form. But the Trudeau government is not considering a blanket pardon for people with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug, Goodale said in an interview. "That's not an item that's on the agenda at the moment." [continues 261 words]
RCMP says it's too early to determine criminal activity in production of marijuana OTTAWA - It's too early to know how pot legalization will affect criminal involvement in the illicit marijuana market, the RCMP says. The Mounties add that they will work with the federal government "to the extent possible" to ensure policies are in place to prevent crime networks from taking advantage of a newly legal marijuana trade. The cautious RCMP assessment - spelled out in December notes recently obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act - stands in contrast to the Trudeau government's mantra that legalization will remove pot profits from criminal hands. [continues 219 words]
OTTAWA - It's too early to know how pot legalization will affect criminal involvement in the illicit marijuana market, the RCMP said. The Mounties add they will work with the federal government "to the extent possible" to ensure policies are in place to prevent crime networks from taking advantage of a newly legal marijuana trade. The cautious RCMP assessment - spelled out in December notes recently obtained by the Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act - stands in contrast to the Trudeau government's mantra that legalization will remove pot profits from criminal hands. [continues 385 words]
OTTAWA - Expert testimony can be admitted in drugged-driving trials without preliminary examination of evidence, the Supreme Court said Thursday in a decision that could expedite the judicial process in the legalized-marijuana era. The 5-2 court decision on the case of an Ottawa motorist comes as the federal Liberal government prepares to introduce long-promised legislation to legalize the recreational use of pot. "Driving while impaired by drugs is a dangerous and, sadly, common activity, prohibited by the Criminal Code," Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote in her reasons for the majority decision. [continues 370 words]
Federal research looked at decriminalization worldwide OTTAWA- Alternatives to criminalizing a variety of illicit drugs in Canada could result in lower rates of use and fewer harms, such as addiction, overdoses and infectious diseases, says an internal federal study. The Justice Department research paper stresses there are healthier and less costly ways of addressing the problem of illegal drug use, and that the biggest hurdles might be political - not practical - ones. "It is becoming more challenging to justify the criminalization of drug users," the study says. [continues 164 words]
OTTAWA - Canada's effort to craft a legalized marijuana regime could be boosted by the move of four more U.S. states to approve recreational use of the drug, says a Halifax law professor. As it designs a new system, the Liberal government must address the fact Canada is a signatory to three international conventions that require criminalization of the production and possession of cannabis. The nod this week to recreational pot use from voters in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada should give Canada more ammunition in the court of global legal opinion, said Archie Kaiser, a professor in the schools of law and medicine at Dalhousie University. [continues 443 words]
OTTAWA - Bite-sized marijuana goodies such as candies and cookies pose "significant risks" to children who might accidentally swallow them, warns a draft federal discussion paper on pot legalization. It flags the public safety concern as one of the many obstacles Canada must negotiate on the path to regulating the drug, drawing on tragic lessons from Colorado. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says legalizing marijuana will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of shady, back-alley dealing. [continues 251 words]
OTTAWA - Bite-sized marijuana goodies such as candies and cookies pose "significant risks" to children who might accidentally swallow them, warns a draft federal discussion paper on pot legalization. It flags the public safety concern as one of the many obstacles Canada must negotiate on the path to regulating the drug, drawing on tragic lessons from Colorado. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says legalizing marijuana will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of shady, back-alley dealing. [continues 469 words]
Internal Documents Flag Organized Crime Infiltration As Urgent Issue To Confront OTTAWA - Legalizing marijuana won't automatically make Canada's black market for weed go up in smoke or banish organized crime, warns a draft federal discussion paper on regulation of the drug. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says a legal marijuana regime will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of illicit dealing. However, the December draft paper, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, flags the ongoing involvement of organized crime - including possible infiltration of the new system - - as a key issue the government must confront. [continues 368 words]
Marijuana Report Organized Crime Expected To Infiltrate Trade Legalizing marijuana won't automatically make Canada's black market for weed go up in smoke or banish organized crime, warns a draft federal discussion paper on regulation of the drug. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says a legal marijuana regime will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of illicit dealing. However, the December draft paper, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, flags the ongoing involvement of organized crime - including possible infiltration of the new system - - as a key issue the government must confront. [continues 327 words]
Report Says Possible Infiltration By Organized Crime Is A Key Issue Legalizing marijuana won't automatically make Canada's black market for weed go up in smoke or banish organized crime, warns a draft federal discussion paper on regulation of the drug. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says a legal marijuana regime will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of illicit dealing. However, the December draft paper, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, flags the ongoing involvement of organized crime - including possible infiltration of the new system - - as a key issue the government must confront. [continues 311 words]
Says Government Should Pardon Possession Convicts Justin Trudeau's government should consider pardoning people convicted of pot possession - and drop any outstanding charges - to free up much-needed resources for legalization of the drug, says a prominent think-tank. In a newly released policy paper, the C.D. Howe Institute also recommends the government focus on achieving public-health goals and avoiding a black market. The Liberals have promised to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana to keep it out of the hands of children while denying criminals the financial profits. [continues 413 words]
Health Canada cites nine factors Ottawa will need to navigate OTTAWA - As the Liberal government began moving on its commitment to legalize marijuana, Health Canada flagged nine key considerations, newly obtained documents show. A November 2015 ministerial briefing presentation, Legalizing & Regulating Marijuana, offers insight into how the new government will navigate the issue. A look at the nine areas cited by Health Canada: Canadian marijuana usage rates - 11 per cent of the population age 15 and older used pot in the past year, according to a 2013 survey. Use was highest among 20-24 year-olds at 26 per cent. The presentation points to evidence that use declines with age. [continues 258 words]
